Segment wheel ballast for a tractor

ABSTRACT

A ring-shaped wheel ballast composed of a plurality of weight segments for increasing the traction of a tractor is configured in such a manner that only one bolt is required to mount each weight segment to the wheel disc. Each weight segment has a beveled longitudinal edge and a complementary beveled transverse edge. The segments are mounted on the wheel disc in abutting relationship such that the longitudinal edge of one weight segment mates with the transverse edge of an adjoining segment. This mating laterally locks one end of each weight segment and a solitary bolt and nut arrangement securely fastens the opposite end of each segment to the wheel disc. The weight segments are also adapted for releasably carrying perpendicular projecting threaded dowls or bolts such that a succeeding wheel ballast can be mounted on the wheel disc in side-by-side stacking relationship with the first wheel ballast.

United States Patent [19] Murphy et al.

[111 3,774,970 51 Nov. 27, 1973 TRACTOR SEGMENT WHEEL BALLAST FOR A Inventors: Gerald Francis Murphy, Cedar Falls; Stanley Harold Ehlers, Waterloo, both of Iowa Assignee: Deere & Company, Moline, 111.

Filed:

Sept. 13, 1972 Appl. No.: 288,656

US. Cl. 301/41 W Int. Cl Field of Search 301/41 R, 41 W;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1926 l/l95l 8/1952 1/1955 2/1972 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson Attorney-H. Vincent Harsha et al.

[ ABSTRACT A ring-shaped wheel ballast composed of a plurality of weight segments for increasing the traction of a tractor is configured in such a manner that only one bolt is required to mount each weight segment to the wheel disc. Each weight segment has a beveled longitudinal edge and a complementary beveled transverse edge. The segments are mounted on the wheel disc in abutting relationship such that the longitudinal edge of one weight segment mates with the transverse edge of an adjoining segment. This mating laterally locks one end of each weight segment and a solitary bolt and nut arrangement securely fastens the opposite end of each segment to the wheel disc. The weight segments are also adapted for releasably carrying perpendicular projecting threaded dowls or bolts such that a succeeding wheel ballast can be mounted on the wheel disc in side-by-side stacking relationship with the first wheel ballast.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHUYZ'I I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 SEGMENT WHEEL BALLAST FOR A TRACTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a detachablewheel ballast and more particularly to a detachable wheel ballast of the type wherein segmented weights are mounted on the disc of a wheel in a ring configuration.

In power driven agricultural implements, such as tractors, it is often necessary to increase traction capabilities by attaching weights'tothe powerwheels. Some implements have attached to the wheels one-piece I weights which weigh upwards of 150 pounds each and which are burdensome to attach. Consequently, it has become the practice to mount these weights more or less permanently on the implements, and to use these weights in all the crop operations. However, instances do arise where additional weights are needed for only a few days such as when the ground is marshy or wet.

When the implement is removed from the marshy land orwhen the land dries, the need for the extra weight ceases. Obviously, an easily removable weight is desirable in these circumstances.

A segmented weight ballast having a ring-like configuration hasbeen used wherein the weights are carried by the outer face of the wheel disc and each segment is secured thereto in at least two locations by bolt and nut means. In mounting, the installer must manually lift each segment into an elevated position, and while maintaining the segment in such an. elevated position align the holes on the weight segments with the bolts on the wheel disc. This procedure is onerous.

One *way. of reducing the physical strain associated I with mouting a ring-shaped wheel ballast is toincrease the number of weight segments thereby reducing the weight of each segment. This multitude of relatively light weight segments is then radially mounted to a central hub member which in turn is centrally affixed to the outer face of a tractor wheel disc. Each segment is attached to the hub by individual bolt means. However,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of this present invention to present a novel wheel ballast utilizing a plurality of weight segments.

It is a further object of this invention to present a segmented wheel ballast having weight segments arranged in a ring configuration with each segment fastened to the outer face of a wheel disc by singular bolt and nut means.

It is afurther object of this invention to present a segmented wheel ballast in which the segments can be attached directly to the outer face of the wheel disc.

It is a further object of this invention to present a segmented wheel ballast having means to receive succeeding wheel ballasts in side-by-side stacked relationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the wheel ballast of this invention mounted on the outer face of a wheel disc.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the wheel segments of the wheel ballast.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing in detail the attachment of the wheel ballast of this invention to the wheel disc of a tractor wheel.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wheel ballast of this invention mounted on a wheel disc adjacent a conventional one-piece wheel weight.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT During the discussion of the preferred embodiment of this invention, reference will be made to a farm tractor of the type utilized in the cultivation and harvesting of crops and which normally has large diameter rear drive wheels and smaller front wheels. However, it is to be understood that the invention can just as easily be adapted for use on the wheel disc of any wheel. Also,

. when a particular situation demands, the wheel ballast of this invention can be mounted on the front wheels. Furthermore, the manufacturing of the wheel ballast in different dimensions enables this invention to be applied on all sizes of wheel discs.

Turning now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, the wheel ballast 10 of this invention is shown mounted on the outer surface of a wheel disc 12. Wheel disc 12 is of the type usually employed on the rear wheels of agricultural tractorsand releasably carries around the circumference thereof a rim 14 by means of a plurality of conventional bolt and nut arrangements 16. Wheel disc 12 has a central aperture 18 and is mounted on the rear axle of a tractor by the usual hub connector 20.

Wheel ballast 10 is an assembly of three identical weight segments 22 interconnected in a ring configuration around the outer surface of wheel disc 12 inwardly of rim 14. The ring configuration is advantageous since inner opening 23 permits the access of a tool to the hub connector 20. Thus, the tractor wheel can be removed from the tractor axle without removal of the wheel ballast from the wheel disc.

Turning now in particular to FIg. 2 and the construction of weight segments 22, each weight segment 22 is cast out of heavy material such as cast iron and typically weighs between 40 and 50 pounds.

Configuration wise, weight segment 22 has an arcu' ate edge 24, a longitudinal edge 26 running from one end of the arcuate edge to join an oblique edge 28 which is linked with the other end of the arcuate edge by a transverse edge 30. Along the length of arcuate edge 24, the outer surface of weight segment 22 is recessed to form a fluted seating surface 25. The inner surface of the weight segment 22 along the length of arcuate edge 24 carries an inwardly projecting lip 27. When mounted on the outer surface of wheel disc 12, the arcuate edges 24 of the three weight segments cooperate to form the outer periphery or circumference of wheel ballast 10.

As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, transverse edge 30 is beveled inwardly and upwardly.

Longitudinal edge 26 along substantially the length thereof is complementally beveled inwardly and downwardly. Thus, when the weight segments are mounted on wheel disc 12 as in FIG. 1, the longitudinal edge 26 of one weight segment abuts abainst the transverse edge of another weight segment in mating fashion such that the longitudinal edge outwardly locks the transverse edge. As is apparent, this locking of edges eliminates the need for more than one direct attachment of each weight segment to wheel disc 12 and thereby simplifies the mounting of the wheel ballast.

The singular direct attachment of each weight segment to wheel disc 12 can best be seen in the crosssectional view of FIG. 4. Wheel disc 12 contains a transverse hole 32 which is counterbored on the inner surface thereof to form a bearing surface 34 for the head of a threaded cap bolt or dowl 36 which extends substantially perpendicularly through and beyond hole 32. Weight segment 22 contains a transverse aperture 38 alignable with hole 32 and through which threaded cap bolt or dowl 36 projects. On the outer surface of weight segment 22 there appears a frustoconical recess 40 which is coaxial with aperture 38. A nut 42 received in frusto-conical recess 40 threadedly engages cap bolt 36 and holds the weight segment in pressure engagement with wheel disc 12. Frusto-conical recess 40 is of sufficient depth that both nut 42 and the outer end of cap bolt 36 lie beneath the outer planar surface of weight segment 22 at all times. Other cap bolts or dowls 36 for the other weight segments are similarly positioned through holes on wheel disc 12 in such a manner that all the cap bolts or dowls are spaced mutually equidistant apart.

The mounting of wheel ballast onto wheel disc 12 is easily accomplished. Initially three cap bolts or dowls 36 are inserted through respective holes 32 in wheel disc 12 and project outwardly therefrom. A first weight segment 22 is then positioned over the outer surface of the wheel disc 12 and held by nut 42 threadedly engaging cap bolt 36. Next, the transverse edge of a second weight segment 22 is placed in abutting mating engagement with the longitudinal edge 26 of the first weight segment. The second weight segment is then directly attached to wheel disc 12 by the threaded engagement of a second nut 42 with a second cap bolt or dowl 36. Finally, a third weight segment 22 is fitted into place with the transverse edge thereof in mating engagement with the longitudinal edge of the second weight segment 22 and with a nut 42 threadedly engaging a third cap bolt or dowl 36. When attached to the wheel disc, the longitudinal edge of the third weight segment 22 mates with the transverse edge of the first weight segment 22 for locking engagement. Since each weight segment is separately mounted, the installer need only lift approximately 50 pounds at a time rather than a full 150 pounds, the weight of the wheel ballast if it were constructed in one piece.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the wheel ballast of this invention can be adapted to permit multiple wheel ballasts to be selectively added to the wheel disc in side-by-side abutting relationship. To effect this feature, each weight segment 22 contains a second transverse aperture 44 and on the inner surface thereof a coaxial recess 46. Recess 46 has an elliptical-shaped mouth which allows the easy entrance of a second cap bolt or dowl 48 and a rectilinear-shaped anterior, the minor axis of which is only slightly larger than the width of a cap bolt or dowl 48 so that the bolt or dowl can enter thereinto but once entered cannot be rotated. Cap bolt or dowl 48 serves the purpose of providing securing means for a succeeding wheel ballast and can be removed when an extra wheel ballast is not required thereby eliminating any protruding objects which would create a safety hazard during operation of the tractor.

A second wheel ballast, 10A, shown dotted in FIG. 4, having weight segments identical to the first wheel ballast is then attached to the first wheel ballast in sideby-side relationship in exactly the same manner as the first wheel ballast was attached directly to wheel disc 12. When the second wheel ballast has been secured to the first wheel ballast, arcuate lip 27 of the individual weight segments of the second wheel ballast ride on the seating surface 25 of the weight segments of the first wheel ballast to aid in the proper alignment of the two wheel ballasts. Since both the outer end of cap bolt 36 and nut 42 are beneath the outer surfaces of the weight segments, the inner surface of the second wheel ballast can abut against the outer surface of the first wheel ballast. When so mounted, a weight segment of the second wheel ballast overlies each of the mating junctions of the longitudinal and transverse edges of the first wheel ballast. Likewise, additional wheel ballasts can be added in side-by-side stacking relationship by the mere placement of bolts in each wheel ballast to form an attaching means for a succeeding wheel ballast. Obviously no bolt need be added to the outermost wheel ballast.

FIG. 5 shows the wheel ballast of this invention used in conjunction with a weight of the conventional type where a one-piece ring of heavy material weighing about pounds is semi-permanently attached to the wheel disc. In this situation, the conventional weight 50 is attached directly to the outer surface of wheel disc 12 by appropriate means 52. Conventional weight 50 has three equally spaced apart apertures 53 through which cap bolts 56 are inserted and project outwardly therefrom. The wheel ballast 10 of this invention is then attached to the conventional weight in the same manner as the wheel ballast was attached directly to wheel disc 12 itself. When attached to the conventional weight, lip 27 seats around the outer peripheral edge of the conventional weight 50. Obviously, additional wheel ballasts 10 can be attached in stacking side-byside relationship if such is desired.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, the invention can take other forms which will become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the foregoing description. Threfore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific illustrated and described embodiment, but should be limited only by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A wheel ballast carried by the outer surface of the disc of a wheel comprising:

a. a plurality of weight segments arranged in a circular configuration on the outer surface of the disc of the wheel and in abutting relationship with each other; each of the weight segments having an inner beveled longitudinal edge and a complementary beveled transverse edge;

b. singular means for each weight segment for detachably securing the weight segment to the outer surface of the disc of a wheel so that the longitudinal edge of one weight segment mates with the transverse edge of an abutting weight segment whereby one weight segment outwardly locks an abutting weight segment.

2. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein each of said weight segments possesses a transverse aperture and wherein said singular means for each weight segment for detachably securing eachweight segment to the outer face of the wheel disc comprises a dowl for each of the weight segments extending outwardly from the outer surface of the wheel disc and projecting through the respective apertures in the weight segments; and nut means threadedly engaging said dowl outwardly of the wheel segments whereby said weight segments are held in pressure engagement to said wheel disc.

3. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein said wheel ballast has an open center to permit access to the hub of the wheel. a

4. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein each of said weight segments carries means to accept and retain a second wheel ballast, identical to said first wheel ballast.

5. A wheel ballast as in claim 4 wherein said means to accept and retain said second wheel ballast comprises an outwardly projecting dowl carried by each of said weight segments.

6. A wheel ballast as in claim 4 wherein each of said weight segments possesses an inwardly projecting circumferential lip surface and a peripheral fluted recess on the outer face thereof whereby the first wheel ballast possesses a seating surface upon which the lip surface of the second wheel ballast rides.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,77h,o70 Dated 27 November 1973 Inv n Gerald Francis Mur'ohv, Stanley Harold Ehlers It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the Title Page, add inventor s name Richard Arthur Schafer Signed and sealed this 10th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) I Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON; JR. 0. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer 7 T Commissioner of Patents FORM ISO-1050 (10-159) I USCOMM-DC scan-Pun I I U.5I GOVERNMENT PRINTING OF FICEI S's O'3-33l, 

1. A wheel ballast carried by the outer surface of the disc of a wheel comprising: a. a plurality of weight segments arranged in a circular configuration on the outer surface of the disc of the wheel and in abutting relationship with each other; each of the weight segments having an inner beveled longitudinal edge and a complementary beveled transverse edge; b. singular means for each weight segment for detachably securing the weight segment to the outer surface of the disc of a wheel so that the longitudinal edge of one weight segment mates with the transverse edge of an abutting weight segment whereby one weight segment outwardly locks an abutting weight segment.
 2. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein each of said weight segments possesses a transverse aperture and wherein said singular means for each weight segment for detachably securing each weight segment to the outer face of the wheel disc comprises a dowl for each of the weight segments extending outwardly from the outer surface of the wheel disc and projecting through the respective apertures in the weight segments; and nut means threadedly engaging said dowl outwardly of the wheel segments whereby said weight segments are held in pressure engagement to said wheel disc.
 3. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein said wheel ballast has an open center to permit access to the hub of the wheel.
 4. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein each of said weight segments carries means to accept and retain a second wheel ballast, identical to said first wheel ballast.
 5. A wheel ballast as in claim 4 wherein said means to accept and retain said second wheel ballast comprises an outwardly projecting dowl carried by each of said weight segments.
 6. A wheel ballast as in claim 4 wherein each of said weight segments possesses an inwardly projecting circumferential lip surface and a peripheral fluted recess on the outer face thereof whereby the first wheel ballast possesses a seating surface upon which the lip surface of the second wheel ballast rides. 